Google’s burying of material critical of Islam, along with Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube censorship of material that violates Sharia blasphemy laws, show that the “official Google source” that said that “the document should be considered internal research, and not an official company position” was lying. This is already being implemented on a massive scale. If it isn’t stopped, and these tech giants broken up, the First Amendment could soon be a dead letter, along with America as a free society.
“THE GOOD CENSOR: Leaked Briefing Says Google Must Move Away from ‘American Tradition’ of Free Speech to Expand Globally, Attract Advertiser $$$s,” by Allum Bokhari, Breitbart, October 9, 2018:
A leaked Google briefing titled “The Good Censor” advises tech companies to move away from the “American tradition” of free speech if they wish to attract advertising revenue and continue global expansion.
The briefing, leaked exclusively to Breitbart News, was the product of extensive research on the part of Google. This included expert interviews with MIT Tech Review editor-in-chief Jason Pontin, Atlantic staff writer and tech critic Franklin Foer, and academic Kalev Leetaru. 35 cultural observers and 7 cultural leaders from seven countries on five continents were consulted to produce it. It can be read in full here.
The 85-page briefing admits that Google and other tech platforms have fundamentally altered their policies in response to unwelcome political events around the world, including the 2016 election and the rise of Alternative für Deutschland in Germany.
Responding to the leak, an official Google source said the document should be considered internal research, and not an official company position.
Page 14 of the document acknowledges that a few Silicon Valley tech giants now “control the majority of our conversations,” but that these platforms – including Google – must now break their initial promise to users of free speech and content neutrality.
Pages 19-21 of the briefing describe this initial support for free speech as a “utopian narrative” that has been undermined by political events including the 2016 election and the rise of the populist AfD party in Germany.
Later, on pages 66-70, the briefing explains that tech companies including Google, Facebook and Twitter initially leaned towards an “American tradition” of free speech that prioritizes “free speech for democracy, not civility.”
But it goes on to say that the same companies now embrace the “European tradition,” that favors “dignity over liberty, and civility over freedom.”
Google, argues the briefing, must move towards the European tradition and create “well-ordered spaces for safety and civility” rather than “unmediated marketplaces of ideas.”
Doing so, says the briefing, will enable Google to “respond to regulatory demands” and “maintain global expansion,” as well as “monetize content through its organization” and “protect advertisers from controversial content,” both of which will “increase revenues.”…
StellaSaidSo says
The globalists are flexing their muscles. There is no room for free speech in the New World Order.
Z says
Only if we let them
J D S says
@ Z..well from all that I see the whole west is bending and giving up, not only free speech, but every facet of freedom without even a shot being fired..UNBELIEVABLE that countries just want to give up rather than stand up and be counted.
Who in their right mind would want…….I won’t even finish that because apparently our so called leaders have lost
minds and we are done…at least some are done, I’m not.
Lydia Church says
And so it begins…
Andy says
Make No Mistake About It!
Andy says
CAUGHT! Internal Google Report Reveals Big Tech’s Assault on Free Speech!!!
Peter WF says
Google should move its headquarters to a non free speech country.
Practice what you preach!
jule says
What they need to do is CLEAR up the Meaning of Freedom in the USA. It does not mean people can make groups to destroy our government, or rights of people of a certain color or sex. If they do this, they are not FREE speech but Supremacists reaching for domination. Teaching Supremacy is not teaching freedom. Groups who go against our USA freedom as outlined in the Constitution should not get a voice. This is where we made mistake after Wars where we fought for our lives against these groups ..like Nazitroops, Islam with its bigotry and Supremacist goal, KKKlan still teaching hatred of a persons skin. None of these groups stand for Freedom. We have been such wusses not to define who we are and what we stand for and to allow in groups we fought for our lives against. Thats pure insanity. What do they think? That we actually want to fight for our lives all over again inside our own country?
Chili Dogg says
jule, sorry, we should not give government even more power to stop people’s speech whether you like their speech or not. The government would just abuse that power. Who’s to decide what they can ban and not? It will be arbitrary. It is safer to let people argue against the small number of people you mention rather than give people with a monopoly on violence more power, power that they will inevitably abuse. BTW, you say people who do not support freedom as outlined in the Constitution “should not get a voice”. That sounds like the Democrat party to me.
mortimer says
Google’s internal report SPILLED THE BEANS. They want to sell out THE BASIS OF AMERICA and TURN AMERICAN CORPORATIONS into the WILLING SLAVES of ISLAMIC BILLIONAIRES.
This is the strongest indictment yet of Google’s AMORALITY.
If at all possible do not use google. Boycott google. Use DUCKDUCKGO or other search engines.
mortimer says
Google doesn’t realize that in a free innovative market, the freedom to expression innovative and controversial ideas is how progress occurs.
Stagnation occurs when there is censorship.
Michael Copeland says
“Stagnation occurs when there is censorship”……
as in Islamic states.
“No stronger retrograde force exists in the world” – Churchill.
Michael Copeland says
Stagnation occurs when there is censorship.
Indeed, as in Islamic states.
“No stronger retrograde force exists in the world” – Churchill.
gravenimage says
Yes–important quote, Michael.
mortimer says
When people are not allowed to protest against abuses they believe are wrong, then civil war becomes inevitable.
Cleaneth_Johns says
Strange indeed. Are those advising Google to “to move away from the “American tradition” of free speech if they wish to attract advertising revenue and continue global expansion…’ saying those countries that Google wants to expand into would (primarily) object to exposing the machinations of Sharia and its violent Jihad?
Do they mean China, Vietnam, England, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel? Which countries are those that Google wants to expand into would be inhospitable to Google if it dropped its particular censorships.
A_M_Swallow says
Google, Facebook and YouTube have all been blocked in China.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Websites_blocked_in_mainland_China
So Google’s directors betting on the company on gaining more advertising in China than they lose in the West. Since China prefers to use its own companies that is a very high risk bet.
Cleaneth_Johns says
This is quite correct. I was pointing out that the Google mind set was for dropping even the pretense of free speech if Google wants to expand anywhere – as they put it Globally.
That means everywhere. The memo did not say they were dropping free speech to stay in the China market.
And while we are at it, what is the American Tradition of free speech?
Frank Anderson says
As much as we wish, the Constitution only applies in the United States. Even then it generally applies only to government actions or inactions. Private parties and organizations can quite often get away with outrageous conduct contrary to the Constitution, unless, for example, they fall under some kind of “public accommodation” exception.
The disgusting trend to skirt basic civil rights ought to show how precious, fragile and endangered they are for all of us. I have seen in person an allegedly patriotic and moral organization betray every Constitutional principle, whereupon I found no further need for their company. Move on.
boakai ngmoby says
like for movies, use a rating system. why can’t google warn the world: FOR MATURE READERS ONLY (Freedom of expression allowed)?
Norger says
This is thought control. Scary stuff.
Z says
Free speech is a human right. Are you going to roll over and obey, or will you protect what is rightfully yours?
revereridesagain says
Wonderful. Now we can all be told what to think and what to say by the likes of Taylor Swift.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2018/10/what-bias-google-and-taylor-swift-caught-promoting-far-left-website-to-register-voters/
Google’s new motto: “Look What You Made Us Do!”
Frank Anderson says
Revere. . .ONLY if we allow them.
Andrew says
These tech companies were founded on technology largely developed through pubic funding which was obtained by them at very little or no cost. They use satellites, airwaves and other infrastructure developed, and in many cases, still owned by public entities.
For all those of libertarian persuasion, this may be a classic case of capitalist excess requiring regulation. What will you do?
These companies monopolize most Western markets. Market forces will not discipline their actions. There are no other viable channels of social media which can compete and those who hold inconvenient opinions are increasingly being censored and isolated. It is easy to applaud the blackballing of wackos like Jones, however the tech companies are censoring facts and news which are unlikely to generate meaningful backlash. That said, if the case can be made that free speech may have even a very indirect negative impact on their bottom lines, they will err on the side of caution and censor everything. Money talks.
Ten years ago, public intellectuals from all sides of the political spectrum (Christopher Hitchens, Chris Hedges, Ezra Levant etc.) warned of this threat.
Companies are amoral entities. These companies see growth and expansion in countries with with governments and populations which in many cases do not recognize democracy and free speech as desirable.
The comment about the European model is nonsense. The only problem in Europe is with those governments which are being coerced by the same forces acting on the tech companies. London is awash in petrodollars and has been for decades.
Your opponents are using the power of government amongst other means to pursue their ends.
Why not you?
DHazard says
“American tradition” of free speech that prioritizes “free speech for democracy, not civility.”
Really? Even when they think no “outsider” will hear or ever know what they are saying they still can’t bring themselves to utter the words that lie at the core of this document and the “disagreement” it addresses; Islam, Muslim, terrorist, Islamist, Muhammad, Allah, Quran, etc.
This is what distinguishes them from Goebbels.
nicholas tesdorf says
This headline would more accurately read : “THE BAD CENSOR: Leaked Briefing Says Google Must Move Away from ‘American Tradition’ of Free Speech to Expand Globally, Attract Advertiser $$$s.” It is up to all of us to frustrate them in their Fascist Initiative. It is time for government regulation of this Behemoth.
Indiana Tom says
But then it would not be Newspeak or Doublespeak.
A_M_Swallow says
Is there any evidence that Google is supply espionage to China or Russia?
It may be military or industrial information or personal. Many servicemen, civil servants and armaments workers use Google.
eduardo odraude says
The tech people are perhaps destined to think in terms of technocratic authoritarianism. Technology imprints a mechanistic paradigm on people. They start seeing everything through the lens, or stencil, of computer programming and “information processing.” Whatever is not visible through that lens is seen or noticed less and less. Machines don’t have freedom. They can serve freedom, but vigilance is necessary. The new corporate technocrats are tempted by the power of social engineering and the wealth and short term security that comes from avoiding free speech. Time to break up Google, Twitter, Facebook, Youtube. Or forbid them from censoring content. Show the Europeans who reject free speech what courage, sanity, honesty, and intelligence are. Those virtues all depend on free speech today.
gravenimage says
Not all tech types are like this. The “politically correct” are, though.
StellaSaidSo says
What a fatuous remark. Almost without exception, the tech companies are as ‘politically correct’, as authoritarian left, and as globalist, as it is possible to be. This is the problem, and the reason that – as Eduardo said – Google et al. need to be broken up, or prohibited from censoring content..
Garfield says
+1
Indiana Tom says
A leaked Google briefing titled “The Good Censor” advises tech companies to move away from the “American tradition” of free speech if they wish to attract advertising revenue and continue global expansion.
This is beyond Goebbels wildest dreams. I don’t know if we can live without the wonders of National Socialism. Orwell could not have imagined this in his wildest dreams.
Good Censor sounds like Newspeak from the Ministry of Truth. Stalin would approve.
Indiana Tom says
But it goes on to say that the same companies now embrace the “European tradition,” that favors “dignity over liberty, and civility over freedom.”
The same European Tradition that Stalin and Hitler embraced.
gravenimage says
Google briefing says tech companies should abandon “American tradition” of free speech
…………………….
Just horrifying.
And there is nothing *civil* about the crushing of freedom of speech.
Arthur says
LIVE FREE OR DIE
Lydia Church says
The pen is mightier than the sword.
And they know it.
jule says
What they need to do is CLEAR up the Meaning of Freedom in the USA. It does not mean people can make groups to destroy our government, or rights of people of a certain color or sex. If they do this, they are not FREE speech but Supremacists reaching for domination. Teaching Supremacy is not teaching freedom. Groups who go against our USA freedom as outlined in the Constitution should not get a voice. This is where we made mistake after Wars where we fought for our lives against these groups ..like Nazitroops, Islam with its bigotry and Supremacist goal, KKKlan still teaching hatred of a persons skin. None of these groups stand for Freedom. We have been such wusses not to define who we are and what we stand for and to allow in groups we fought for our lives against. Thats pure insanity. What do they think? That we actually want to fight for our lives all over again inside our own country?
Frank Anderson says
jule, I Suggest that the fight for freedom will never end. Closing out the evil also closes out opportunities for improvement. “They” want to close “our” freedom to think and explore. Nietzsche (paraphrased) “When fighting monsters it is hard to avoid becoming a monster.” How can “we” limit their freedom without limiting our own. We are resisting monsters of many forms and labels who want to kill or enslave us by any means available.
I think the example of Germany where totalitarian violent Communism was finally resisted by totalitarian violent Nazism illustrates the quandary we face today. Neither choice left any liberty.
Sam says
“Later, on pages 66-70, the briefing explains that tech companies including Google, Facebook and Twitter initially leaned towards an “American tradition” of free speech that prioritizes “free speech for democracy, not civility…“dignity over liberty, and civility over freedom.” This research is noble. However, Google and European governments ought to consider this noble coercion cannot be a one-way street. Freedom in the West cannot be imparted unless there is a quid pro quo which demands reciprocation; decency is not a Western thing. The consumer has considerable power and so too does the voter. Google’s negativity and tussle with free-speech and freedoms has seen it selling its soul to China and Muslim countries already and becoming the custodian of our consciousness. This has serious consequences for humanity….!
UNCLE VLADDI says
Hypocrisy and lies! “BE EVIL!”
Rumpled Nixon says
Time to burn Google Facebook and Twitter to the ground. There is no room for fascism in the USA.
Frank Anderson says
R.N. That is exactly what they want: To give them all the excuse they need for anything they want and can do. Remember what happened when the Reichstag was burned, please.
BTW I still think highly of another RN in spite of his errors, because of his accomplishments.
Tom says
#Dumpgoogle and anyone else who tries to stifle freedom of speech.
Don’t know about others but I have had enough of this BS.
Jean says
“Dignity over liberty, and civility over freedom.”
This is a demonic lie. Such perverse drivel has NEVER been a European tradition.
Political correctness (“politkorrektnost” in Russian) is a strategy of thought policing that the Soviet Union tried to implement into the West. It was resisted vehemently originally, but then – after the Union itself had fallen – has taken hold through Cultural Marxism during the last few decades.
European tradition has always been the exact opposite: A search for truth, objectivity, and expansion of the mind through an open discussion. This has been so since Ancient times, ever since philosophy was born in Greece. Of course there were persecutions and fights and religious wars along the way, but when Europe for centuries has flourished so much better than the rest of the world, it is exactly because of its ancient desire for these three things: *truth, objectivity, and open discussion of opposite viewpoints*.
Cultural marxism attacks all three ideals at their root and tries to erase Westerners’ knowledge on their own history, supplanting it with blatant lies. This is one of them. The attempt to make free speech something “local” (“American”) and foreign to Europe is a strategic preparation for promoting other lies. For instance that “islam has always been a part of Europe” and that islam “is the true background for European progress”.
“Dignity over liberty”? That is – dignity in chains? The absurdity of it.
But they are correct that slaves are always behaving civilly.
StellaSaidSo says
+1
Agostino Armo Pellegrini says
“dignity over liberty, and civility over freedom.”
What a load of crap. Here is the truth:
A life without liberty is a life without dignity, and life without freedom is a life without civility.
Our leftist oppressors want us to believe that our slavery to islam will bring dignity and civility to the world. But it can’t, it will only bring more murder, more divisiveness, more terror, more misogyny, and more crime for allah, none of which is dignified or civil in the least. These people have driven themselves mad for a barbaric cult of bigotry and violence. They have become undignified and un civil and they want us to be the same.
Somehow I think not.
Google wants more money. We want freedom and equal rights. They may be Goliath and we’re David in this fight, but with our little stone of truth we will bring that giant down.